Moving Forward

Last Sunday, my vehicle was towed (rather unjustly) and the week went downhill from there.

 

I did, however, score this adorable Anthropologie top at a thrift store.  And my office carpet and trim is green, and that is my favorite color.

While I assure people I rarely have a bad day (I average maybe six a year) this was the first time I had three of them fall three days in a row.  By Thursday, however, I had formulated my plan, and I had begun the process of recovery.

Of course my bike had to figure into that.

 

Reunited!  One had been missing for two years!

I cannot express the joy I have in having my bike in the back of my vehicle, ready to ride at a moment's notice.  This week was awful, with nothing working out as I hoped, and yet fabulous as I flew down the Peavine at full throttle yesterday.

Yes, I wore a helmet.

No, I don't have pictures.

Why?  

Because I look utterly ridiculous in a helmet.

This week the rains of the monsoon finally hit, and coincided with tough circumstances.

 

Monsoon Sunset.

As I settled in to my plans, and remembered the dreams I am still working on I was encouraged...a wee bit.

 

Maybe.  What if I grow a sixth toe?  That might be uncomfortable.

But!!! I am reminded my awesome new business Ride Prescott is nearing launch, and I finally have a second insurance quote (one of the hold ups) and possibly a third cart?!

 

The green ride is framing up:)

In addition, new collaborations are happening, and I am proud to be marketing several new start-ups.  My heart will always be brand new small businesses, and to join both Studio Sol Pilates and Senses in their opening months is deeply satisfying.

Things always get better.  This past week was but a blip, and thankfully not something like a 27 week broken dominate hand.

 

Although that 27 week broken hand allowed the discovery of my ambidextrous proclivity...I still mouse left (with a right hand mouse:)

Last night my legs ached in the best possible way as I ate a bag of frozen cherries, carefully removing the pits from their frozen yumminess.

Even pits are not a bother when dealt with carefully.

 

I think I shall concentrate more on my new business, helping those who want help, and on getting fit.

Thank goodness I've rediscovered my bike😍

Fitness Quest:  keeping it real.

Thighs

It HAS To come off.

 

For all you who think I'm thin, here's the proof:  my thighs are not.

I see the dimpling of cellulite and the unacceptable spread everyday.  Then I throw on a pretty dress and go on my merry way.

Until now.

I started a new job and am starting a new business-and I must take care of my body.  While I am on week four of Pilates, I have struggled with my weight not changing...and then it started to and I worked 50 hours in four days.  It shot right back up.

Of course, magnificent lunches like these (from Soldi Backyard Bistro in Prescott) may be a culprit.

Why the sudden need to take it off?  Because of a white dress, of course.

I love this white dress.  It's a Max Mara, and I bought it in Atlanta when I had a flight delay (along with some Lucky Jeans and other assorted luxuries....) back in 2011.  

Or was it 2010?

 

2010.  I miss these ladies so much.

It fits with spanx (barely) but I want to be comfortable...

Thus I am stuck.

I'm exercising.  

I'm motivated.

But I also really, really want to eat what I want.

😜

Fitness Quest:  keeping it real.

Exercising while Injured: CrossFit

I woke up at 4am, and drifted back to sleep at 6am.  Thankfully, I thought to set an alarm for 7:45am.

Of course, that gave me just 15 minutes to get ready to go...

Yeah, I know maize isn't attractive, but it was cold, and it covered my butt.

Today I was back at CrossFit Prescott, and curious how The Professor could modify a training for a broken hand.

At least he was smiling.

Despite the desire to return, I had still dreaded walking in.  Perhaps this is a throwback to school yard pick-ems when I was always being picked last?  Now injured, seemed even more apparent I "didn't fit in."

Oh, yes, my wingman showed up.  Hadn't seen him in over a month, but there he was.

It took Joey a few minutes to figure out my workout-he was very aware of the limitations and possible further injuries that could occur, and worked within those limited parameters.  In the end, I did five sets of modified shoulder squats with chains (stabilizing both up and down, Joey explained), the agility ladder with hands at stomach, plank and butterfly sit ups.

We did video.  I erased 2/3rds of it.

I was soooo done-I still had two sets to go!

Today took quite a bit of modification, trial & error.  Tonight my legs feel that slight twinge of exercise-I admit it's a good feeling.  (My shoulder, however...argh.  Totally tweaked all day.). I was delighted to be back at the place I wanted up be; even though limited.  I left a sweaty mess, and something in me liked that.  I *know* I actually worked out today; I don't always feel like that.

Let's chat a minute about the "exercise high" that some people feel.  I rarely feel good after exercise-and I wonder if only the 20% actually feel good when it's done.  I do admit I am on a high at the end of every Canyon hike, but after an hour workout?  Not very often.  I believe the brain must be engaged in the activity to have it-and I'm not often in compliance!

Frankly, I'm far more concerned with what type of princess I am.

I want to be at CrossFit, but I love Pilates.  To fuse the two together would be incredible-because I know how much I'll love my sore legs tomorrow.

It was a bad camera day.  I think when I tweak my shoulder, everything else goes to pot.

Tonight we celebrated Becky's 39th birthday; enjoying good food and great friends.

Cheesecake birthday cake!  

On the way home, it snowed.

On May 8th.  Really.

During the night I awoke many times from my dreams, all involving classrooms and teachers.  My legs had become deliciously sore-the result of a perfect workout.  My dreams shifted to a blackboard, filled with quotes.  I started erasing many of them to please the teacher, and began to write my own.

No, I couldn't read it.  It was just a dream.

No hikes this week, did you notice?

So much to figure out...

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...

So I'm writing this at Matt's...

Hiking partners doing something other than hiking...

Today I finished up my Pilates with Lucille; I was genuinely sad to be ending the experience.  I *think* I may have found the exercise I love...we shall see.  So many more exercises to explore.

  

So today was a day of writing and creating new material.  With the dogs underfoot it was a challenge; I enjoyed the break Pilates brought (even though it kicked my abs...!) I am starting to understand the pull exercise has on some people (the crazed 20%)...I love the  experience of classical Pilates.  To have my mind free of distractions is a huge pull-the King says I have a soundtrack mind-I've never had an exercise engage me like classical Pilates.

Crazy, yes.  Love it-of course.

So today I've learned I am loathe to give up Pilates, and that the King is pretty awesome to let me hang with Becks for the evening at Matt's.

I love my hiking partners (even if they lock me out:)

Want It to be Easy?

I woke up at 2:47am.

That means I had to make pancakes.

It's getting a little tiresome, waking up and being unable to fall back to sleep.

Maybe I need to push it harder?

Oh, I'm thoroughly stuck on the idea that perhaps the only way for exercise to ever become easy is to hit it hard.  Rather than reluctance, maybe I need enthusiasm?

Enthusiasm has made Pilates a joy, I'll admit.

Today, Pilates was first, and then a big hike on Little Granite.

But first, let me take a selfie.

Flat abs.  Brought to you by Pilates.

I was pretty stoked putting on my exercise clothes today; my tightened abs made everything look smaller and sleeker.  Since change had been small, it was great to see progress.

I had lunch with Dr. Keith, who is a physical therapist, and part of my networking group.  When I complained about my sore trapezius, he diagnosised lack of use AND too much iPhone use.

Shut up, Wesley!

Dr. Keith was right, btw.

Pilates was heavy on the legs, and I found session five to be a challenge.

Though she did let me relax at the end.

I finished up there, and headed straight for my hike with Dotty and the dogs.

Jake, Dotty & Sarge.

Little Granite is a misnomer; it's a 6 mile hike that took us four full hours to complete, with multiple elevation changed right up to 7000ft.

Looking south towards Kirkland.

I realize you may think it's all fun, since I post these pictures (I was trying to show off my biceps, obviously) but the truth is closer to this:

My regular trail resting position.

We were 7/8ths to the top, had been hiking uphill three hours, I had done an hour of Pilates and had three hours of sleep.  Plain and simple, I was tired.

But it felt so good.

Downhill at last!

I pressed through the tiredness, the soreness and focused only on the joy that I knew would accompany the hike's views and completion.

Trail's End.  Another fantastic hike!

It seems pushing hard may just be the fastest way to easy afterall.

 

Awareness

 I must start each day with the news.

Granted it's a British tabloid, but I did know about Bruce Jenner in 2014.

I found the British press scoop the American press, on American news, by 2-4 hours.  Matt Drudge introduced me to the Mail, so it can't be all bad, right?

I forget so many don't know who Matt Drudge is.

I assure you, she knows. 

Any how, I have to have my news fix.  After three news sites I switch to blogs, and then scroll through Facebook.  Satisfied I am aware of what's happening in the world politically (and not politically), I can start the day.

Apparently, this is how the 20% feel about exercise.

Me on the Tower tonight.

I've been made aware that those with the addiction must exercise, or they feel irritable-much like I do if I don't have my news fix first thing.

I'm really loving the retro-1930's equipment.

Pilates focuses on six principles:  control, center, flow, breath, precision & concentration.

Just in case you're only looking at the pictures.

When I manage to hit all six in a set, I am amazed at the immediate improvement, and more importantly, the awareness I have of my body and it's muscular system.  Inhaling or exhaling appropriately gives strength when needed, keeping center allows for not only better form but better strengthening.  I do not feel my mind wander at all as I complete these movements, rather I am fixated on the task at hand.

I wonder if this is how the 20% feel all the time they exercise?

The King assures me that he is like that, but it takes discipline.  (Yet I managed it in a week!  Yippee!)

I am loving the results...

Awareness of the six principles has helped me find a place that I can truly clear my head for an hour and focus on exercise that is showing good results.  Just like I have a need to be aware of the news, I'm finding that this new awareness during exercise is very fulfilling.

Seems I've become aware of a lot of things as of late.

Haven't heard from Maverick lately, so I thought I'd check in.

This afternoon I was telling a friend about the fictional character Miles Vorkosigan.  Ever the source of amusement in my literary sphere, I can't help but think of him tonight.

And on that bombshell...

The Day I Wanted to Quit

Today was the day.

After a hard day yesterday, and waking up in pain due to the mystery shoulder injury, I was done.

I was done...but I wasn't.  I wanted to quit, I wanted to be done.

But that's not what I'm supposed to do.

Today, after a bad start and many tears, I brushed myself off and squared my shoulders.  I went to my networking meeting, and felt better afterwards.  I filled my calendar for the following week. I left, and then I discover this:

Lynne's article was in Drudge.

This is HUGE to a small news source; it's IMPOSSIBLE to feel bad with such fantastic news.  Shortly thereafter, I received another call, from one of my clients.  A television producer had read their articles in Prescott eNews, and wanted to do a television show about them.

Of course, they may have to close unless they figure out stage one fire restrictions...

I could not help but feel better about my job (I wasn't planning on quitting that, but the boost there did help me refocus my exercise energy) and I rethought the Fitness Quest.  I need more than one week at a facility; my CrossFit Prescott experience was the best thus far due to the fact I did two weeks.  I decided to discuss it with Lucille during Pilates.

Pilates.  This wonderful, intriguing new-to-me exercise.

Much more complex than it appears!

Just when I can't do one more, we switch.

Lucille readily agreed, and some stress was removed by knowing I had the time to truly explore "getting cooked."

Then more good news; Ered has a lilac bush.

My favorite flower.

He filled my arms with the scented blooms, and my soul was restored as I buried my face in their scent.

Then I picked up my painting, and hung it  in the place I picked out weeks ago.

Ian's painting of Prescott.  Love it!

The King of the Central Highlands arrived, and surprised me with a sweet change of plans.  It's our 17th wedding anniversary this weekend, and he's taking me away.

Exercise will be a part of my life, hopefully for the rest of my life.  This morning (and yesterday) were just moments.  Hard moments, but just moments.  My quest continues, and it's going to be ok.

THIS WEEKEND we have a GUEST BLOGGER!!  Troy is on his own Fitness Quest, which he will be sharing with you over the next few days.  The funny thing is we've met only once, when he was 16 and I was 15, out at Lori Lane (do you remember this, Troy?  It's in my journal from that trip!) We were introduced by my BFF Rochelle, who delighted in both of our quests, and thought we could encourage one another.  THANK YOU, Troy, for taking it on!

Happy 17th Anniversary, King of Athletics!